Universal camera mount for baseball cap

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a cap with a standard camera or camcorder mounting system. In some embodiments the cap includes a washer, nut and 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt or screw. In some other embodiments the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt is attached to the brim by means of a custom assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part and claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/464,961 filed May 13, 2009 and is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally pertains to camera mounting systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a camera mounting system for mounting a camera on the brim of a hat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is particularly applicable to camera and camcorder mounting systems and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention has broader applications and may also be adapted for use as platform for lighting, other photographic accessories, and the like.

There have been attempts to produce camera and baseball cap combinations, but they have been largely unsuccessful in that they usually require attachment to other components not on or in the cap. Additionally these other attempts use cameras or video cameras that can only be practically used with the cap.

Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved cap and camera mount which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cap with a standard camera or camcorder mounting system. In some embodiments the cap includes a washer, nut and 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt or screw. In some other embodiments the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt is attached to the brim by means of a custom assembly.

In other preferred embodiments the cap includes a tripod head attached to the brim with the previously described screw or bolt for attaching a camera or camcorder. The head could be a ball and socket type head, a pan-tilt type head, or the like.

Any small camera, camcorder or the like could be attached to the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt or screw. However, preferably a digital camcorder which records video to solid state memory cards is used with the cap.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a cap with a universal camera mounting system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a universal camcorder mounting system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a ball and socket head and universal camera mounting system.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a pan-tilt head and universal camera mounting system.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a camcorder mounted on the brim by means of a universal mounting system.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention; and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mounting bolt assembly with a hat brim.

FIG. 3 which is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the brim core of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the seat nut of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the security nut of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the mounting plate nut of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-6, more particularly, to FIG. 1 which is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. The baseball cap 10 with mounting bolt 12 on brim 14 is shown. Mounting plate nut 16 is threaded onto mounting bolt 12 and aids in stabilizing and securing a camera to mounting bolt 12. The material used in constructing brim 14, mounting bolt 12, and mounting plate nut 16 could be any suitable metal, plastic, polymer, composite, or the like. Preferably, brim 14 is covered with fabric or the like, while mounting bolt 12 is exposed for easy and secure attachment.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mounting bolt assembly. Seat nut 18 is inserted into aperture 20 of brim 14. Then mounting bolt 12 is threaded into seat nut 18. Security nut 22 and mounting plate nut 16 are threaded onto mounting bolt 12. An adhesive or sealer such as Loctite brand thread locking fluid could be used to secure seat nut 18 and security nut 22 to mounting bolt 12. Mounting plate nut 16 is preferable freely threadable on Mounting bolt 12 to allow for properly securing a camera to camera mount assembly. A washer shaped piece 24 of felt, foam, textile, fabric or the like may be placed or secured on top of security nut 22.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the brim core of the present invention. All scaled dimensions are in inches. Brim 14 preferably comprises aperture 20 and is constructed from a plastic or similar material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the seat nut 18 of the present invention. All scaled dimensions are in inches. Seat nut 18 is preferably constructed as to fit tightly and securely into aperture 20 of brim 14. Many shapes and dimensions could be used and the dimensions provided are only a preferred embodiment.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the security nut 22 of the present invention. All scaled dimensions are in inches.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is a scaled drawing of one embodiment of the mounting plate nut 18 of the present invention. All scaled dimensions are in inches.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A baseball type cap comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, wherein said bolt is fixed to said brim to allow mounting of a camera to said brim.
 2. The baseball type cap of claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate nut.
 3. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is camcorder.
 4. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is a digital camera.
 5. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is a digital camcorder.
 6. A hat comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said hat, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, wherein said bolt is fixed to said brim to allow mounting of a camera to said brim.
 7. The hat of claim 6, wherein said hat is a baseball type cap.
 8. The hat of claim 6, further comprising a mounting plate nut.
 9. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is camcorder.
 10. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is a digital camera.
 11. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is a digital camcorder.
 12. A baseball type cap comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, a camcorder, wherein said camcorder is fixed to said brim at least in part by said bolt.
 13. The baseball type cap of claim 12, further comprising a mounting plate nut. 